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The Fruit Of Her Hands: The Story Of Shira Of Ashkenaz (2009)

by Michelle Cameron(Favorite Author)

3.96 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

1439118221 (ISBN13: 9781439118221)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

Gallery Books

review 1: This work of historical fiction presents a fascinating peek into Jewish life in 13th century Europe. Many aspects of the story are excellent: Michelle Cameron creates characters you care about and cleverly finds ways for her heroine to experience life -- and unique varieties of anti-Semitism -- in three different countries (France, England and Germany), which broadens the scope of the narrative. Her descriptions of yeshiva life, of prayer and ritual practice of the day and of non-Jews' attitudes about Judaism are fascinating. I especially love the back story related to Psalm 51:15 -- Adonai s'fatai tiftach ufi yagid t'hilatecha -- and its place in the Shabbat service. At times, however, her prose is overwrought and the storyline just plain unbelievable. A strong matriarch?... more Absolutely. A feminist intellectual with political views more at home in the 20th century? I found that to be a stretch.
review 2: This was a thoroughly readable, flowing, engaging story of the author's imagined wife of Meir ben Baruch, a real life famous Talmudic Jewish scholar who lived in Europe in the 1200s. Shira is honorable, likeable, intelligent, and fiery for learning, which was not common for women of the day. The story covers her imagined life from young childhood to old age, and the increasing anti-Semitism that she, her family and community must face as the years go by. less

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